Parents face fine if Evarts kids break curfew

The Evarts City Council has amended the city’s Curfew For Minors Ordinance.

The ordinance will go into effect following its second reading Monday night during a special called meeting of the council.

Under the amended ordinance, it is now unlawful for any person under the age of 18 to be or remain at any public assembly, building place, street or highway within the city limits at night between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Friday through Sunday and from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.

During the time that school is not in session — Christmas break, spring break and summer break — the curfew will begin at 11 p.m. Any parent or guardian of a juvenile violating this ordinance will be subject to a fine of $25 for the first offense and $50 for the second and any other offense thereafter.

In other action conducted during the council’s regular monthly meeting last week, Mayor Eddie Manning told council members the city’s old fire tanker had been sold for the amount of $610.

“We actually got more out of it than we had anticipated,” said Manning.

A list of delinquent property tax payers was once again distributed to council members. City Clerk Kristi Lamb said since last month’s meeting and posting the names on local access TV, approximately $2,000 had been paid and several residents have set up payment plans.

“We will continue posting the names on TV,” said Lamb. “If you pay or set up a payment plan then we will take your name off the list.”

With a remaining balance of $22,677.25, councilman Clark Cusick suggested the police department begin knocking on doors to collect the delinquent taxes. City Attorney Otis Doan said “it is legal to do that.”

“We’ve done it before,” said Doan.

Caudill said he feels the city is sending a “strong message” to the public.

“I think everybody knows we are trying to be fair and honest,” said Caudill. “Everybody needs to abide by the same rules and laws. If we do that then everybody is doing good.”

Lamb said a list of delinquent privilege license has also been given the the police department so that more action can be taken to collect this money owed to the city.